4.11.17

Truecaller launches developer program in Nigeria

L
– R: Truecaller’s Executives led by its Director and Head of Global
Developer & Startup Relations, Mr. Priyam Bose; its Director of
Communications, Mr. Kim Fai Kok and also the Chief Commercial Officer,
Mr. Ted Nelson at the launch of Truecaller SDK in Lagos today. PHOTO BY:
Opeyemi Kehinde

One of the fastest-growing
consumer apps in Africa, Truecaller, on Thursday launched its developer
programme and mobile identity solution – Truecaller SDK – in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event in
Lagos, the Director and Head of Global Developer & Startup Relations
at Truecaller, Priyam Bose, said the Truecaller SDK enables third party
app developers, digital businesses and startups to verify end users
quickly by utilizing their Truecaller profile with a one-touch and
password free experience.

“We see Nigeria as one of the
most promising eco-systems in Africa, that’s why we have decided to
kick-off our tour in the market. After engaging with some of the top
tech startups and digital businesses in the country, we are even more
convinced that Truecaller SDK – mobile identity solution - will help
solve many of their challenges when onboarding and verifying new users,”
he said.

Bose said the mobile identity
solution would help smartphone users in Nigeria easily and effortlessly
authenticate callers, adding that it is also introducing mobile
advertising on the platform which will enable businesses promote their
presence online.

He said: “We are currently
working on the mobile app for people to promote their businesses on the
Truecaller platform locally. One of the things we’ll be doing here is
the Truecaller developer’s programme in Africa including Nigeria – a
mobile development focusing on internet mobile and online businesses.”

While fielding questions from
participants which include journalists, developers and entrepreneurs,
Truecaller’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ted Nelson, said the mobile
solution relies on phone contacts to verify the user's phone number
based identity through the users' consent.

Also speaking, Truecaller’s
Director of Communications, Kim Fai Kok, added that the company plans to
set up its headquarters in the region as well as scout for local
talents who would be recruited and trained for its operations in Africa.

He said Nigeria is
Truecaller’s third largest market globally, adding that it currently has
more than 6.2 million users in Nigeria.

He further said that the
mobile app is helping Nigerian users block more than 13 million calls,
and 25 million spam SMS on a monthly basis.